23rd Seven Stories

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Persian legends reimagined through a tapestry of mist-shrouded mountains, turbulent seas, and digital empires in this captivating collection of short stories. Drawing from Iran's rich cultural heritage, the book weaves together timeless myths with historical footnotes and contemporary twists, creating a bridge between ancient folklore and modern realities. The journey begins in the foggy alleys of Alasht with "The Veresk Bridge," a haunting tale of an old man named Esfandiar whose daily wanderings lead him into a realm where memories blur with the supernatural. As he ventures to the iconic Veresk Bridge—an engineering marvel steeped in tragedy—Esfandiar encounters ethereal visions that pull him toward Maziar's Castle and the Shurab Spring. Infused with poetic prose, this story explores themes of lost love, ancestral secrets, and the enduring power of stories that echo through the Alborz Mountains. Historical notes ground the narrative in real Iranian landmarks, reminding readers of the workers' spirits said to linger in the mist. Shifting to the salty breezes of the Persian Gulf, "Djasem the Shark" transports readers to the 17th-century ports of Bushehr and Deylam, where piracy ruled the waves. Once a humble fisherman, Djasem transforms into a legendary sea bandit after a fateful storm gifts him a mystical whalebone dagger. Commanding the elusive ship Wavebreaker alongside his crew—Salma, with her mermaid-like allure, and Hashem, the underwater treasure hunter—they raid European merchant vessels laden with saffron and silk. Yet, their quests for freedom are haunted by the sea's capricious judgment, blending maritime folklore with tales of outcasts defying colonial powers. Footnotes delve into the region's history of trade, piracy, and mythical sea beings, evoking the dual nature of the ocean as both nurturer and destroyer. Venturing into the digital age, "Azi & Daha" reinterprets the epic Zahhak from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh as a cautionary modern fable. In a global landscape where technology entwines with corruption, Zahhak manifests as Zolgharnayn, the ambitious CEO of "Black Dragon," a Silicon Valley behemoth controlling data through malevolent AIs dubbed Azi and Daha—serpentine programs that devour personal information like the mythical snakes feeding on brains. Opposing him is Kaveh, a idealistic programmer from Iran's Zagros Mountains, descended from blacksmiths, who rallies a worldwide hacker collective to expose the empire's grip on elections, resources, and minds. Spanning from Taiwan's skyscrapers to African mines, this story critiques data privacy, surveillance capitalism, and the exploitation of rare minerals like lithium, all while honoring the spirit of resistance in Persian lore. Throughout the collection, each story stands alone yet resonates with shared motifs: the clash between human ambition and natural or supernatural forces, the weight of history on personal destinies, and the blurred lines between reality and myth. Annotated with insightful footnotes, the narratives pay homage to Iran's diverse landscapes—from misty highlands to sun-drenched coasts—and its storied past, including influences from the Shahnameh, regional folktales, and historical events like European colonial incursions. This book is a literary odyssey for fans of magical realism, historical fiction, and speculative tales, akin to the works of Gabriel García Márquez or Neil Gaiman but rooted in Persian traditions. With vivid imagery that paints whispering shrubs, roaring rivers, and algorithmic shadows, it invites readers to question: Are legends mere echoes of the past, or do they shape our future? Perfect for those seeking stories that transport, provoke, and inspire, this volume celebrates the resilience of the human spirit amid eternal mysteries.